The Scene - Local Entertainment News

S Sense

Women are funny.

I once had a girlfriend who was a vegan. She was revolted at all animal exploitation and abuse. So I became a vegan too. At that age morals are determined by sexual promise. And I was brought up a Catholic - I can believe anything.

I ditched my leather shoes and even, gulp, drank soy milk in my total devotion to her ideals. We made feeble vegan love in a banana shack in the forest.

Then, one day, she left me for a junkie in a leather jacket with a Harley and a penchant for Big Macs. I was devastated.

"Why?" I asked. "Because he's a man," she said. "He made me eat a sausage." And off she roared in her pigskin jacket and her kid gloves, mindlessly crushing living creatures beneath the Harley's wheels.

Then there was this other girlfriend. I went over to visit her with a bottle or two of Coopers and we sat on her verandah and watched a raging sunset. She was talking about something and I was thinking how nice it was to hear her voice again and I would nod yes occasionally - more in delight at the sunset, her throaty voice and the ale, than representing any coherence of what she was actually saying. Which you do. If you're me.

After dinner she seemed, well, a little strange, even asking about my plans for the future. As if I'd know.

Later, as I took her hand and pulled her towards the bedroom, she hesitated for a second and then smiled. "Okay. One for the road."

My blood being diverted elsewhere temporarily, my brain didn't linger on this curious response but rather loosened its tie, took off its shoes and tap danced to the bed.

Next morning as I'm hopping on my motorbike to leave (hey, if you can't beat them...), she said a special goodbye to me - with a tear in her eye. I asked her what was wrong. Apparently, we'd broken up. She'd explained it all to me last night on the verandah...

Positive stuff in the Middle East

This Friday, July 2, at the Rainforest Information Centre in Wotherspoon Street, North Lismore, international permaculture trainer Geoff Lawton and his Jordanian wife, Nadia, will speak about their recent work in the Middle East and screen the video, Somewhere in The World.

This video, shot from a western woman's point of view, is about permaculture in Jordan and shows dynamic world leadership in environmental science whilst demonstrating peace through religious and cultural tolerance. Entry is by donation. For more information visit the website at www.permaculture.org.au.

Two peas in a pub

Candra Sleeman and Joel McLaughlan (pictured) will be performing at the Bangalow Hotel this Saturday, July 3, from 8pm.

Candra and Joel have been performing together for about a year and have been clocking up the performance hours in the Northern Rivers area. Both are graduates of the Southern Cross University contemporary music course where so many musical talents are fostered and nurtured.

Their repertoire includes funk, soul and folk tunes and some tasty pop covers. Candra and Joel have a knack for reinventing B side tunes to make them their own.

Candra's vocal influences include artists such as Joni Mitchell, Katie Noonan, Sade and Sheryl Crow. Her angelic vocals combined with Joel's sensitive and funky grooves will no doubt enchant the Bangalow audience this Saturday.

Weekend of Visuals

Some of the 48 Hours people check out the visuals at the Breakaway Art Gallery in Byron - (l-r) Amos Hee (from The Buttery), Samantha Wortelhock (artist) and Dee Tipping (coordinator).

48 Hours of Visual Arts is an arts event focusing on the spectrum of visual arts, to be held over two days this Saturday and Sunday, July 3-4, at the Byron Bay Community and Cultural Centre.

48 Hours of Visual Arts was created in response to the amazing amount of talent and possibilities that exist in the visual arts community of this region.

There will be practical panel discussions and workshops, as well as artists' talks with special guests like Italian sculptor Guido Dettoni, visual artist Lindy Lee, Bundjalung artist Digby Moran and Byron artist John Dahlsen.

This is a festival that will be a treat for the eye and a stimulant for the brain. See the art; hear the raves; enjoy the event.

Programs are available from the Lismore Regional Art Gallery. For more info phone 6685 5214. Proceeds from this event will go to helping the good work at The Buttery.

Sirens sing up a storm

Proem3 huddles before the Siren's gig.

Ladies and gentlemen... 2NCR-FM presents the Sirens Songs Concert Series! Drum roll and fanfare please. The first concert will fill the Rochdale Theatre in Goonellabah with fantastic live performances from Proem3, Shelly Hughes and Julianne Jessop this Saturday, July 3, from 8pm.

Proem3's original and non-traditional use of instruments and sounds contains traces of world music, dance trance, heavy grunge, jazz and folk. Hmmm. So they don't do reggae, eh?

Proem3 won the 2002 National Campus Band Competition and have gone from strength to strength with their theatrical live performance and emotional energy.

This three-concert series celebrates the new compilation CD, Female Uni Tunes, with these live concerts showcasing some of the performers included on the album. The compilation CD presents 15 original tracks from some of the amazing female musical talent that has come out of Southern Cross University over the past few years.

Female Uni Tunes will be launched at the NOWSA (National Conference for Women Students) at SCU on Tuesday, July 13.

The second concert in this series is on Saturday, July 10, and features Deb Bond, Felicity Clifton and Virginiaflame. The final concert will warm the winter chills on Saturday, July 31, with performances by Leigh Carriage, Liz Marsh and Natalie Gay. Nine fantastic female singers in three concerts.

Tickets are $12/$10, or there's a special series ticket for only $27, from Caddies in Lismore or 2NCR-FM. For more information phone 6624 4618 or 6620 3006.

Warm and comfy Lounge

Fred Lang blitzes the Lizard Lounge next Tuesday night.

The Laughing Lizard Comedy Lounge will be ground zero in the war on boring when it presents its monthly barrage of laughs next Tuesday, July 6, from 8pm.

Having settled, very nicely thank you, into its new, very comfortable head quarters in the One Bar & Niteclub at Mary Gilhooleys Pub in Lismore, the Laughing Lizard continues to showcase some of the finest comedians in the country in a cool atmosphere - and the new venue has certainly upped the ambience stakes.

This month's headliner is Fred Lang who, 10 years ago, walked into the comedy world and never looked back. Now based in Brisbane, this comedian began in Sydney's competitive comedy circuit but soon his sharp, straight-to-the-point comedy was in demand all over the country.

Brendan Lovechild, the feature support act, is a man from Mullum with a mission - to conquer the comedy world. Adam Spencer called him a "very, very funny man". He will be a willing witty weapon in the battle on bland.

There will also be support acts, the famous 'Sistas' joke comp and the very humble S Sorrensen as the best MC in the world.

Tickets are $15/$10 or $25 for the excellent new show and meal deal. For bookings phone 6622 2924.

Youth films - with older people - and a goat!

Always take the weather with you... A scene from When Fantasy is Reality - one of the films being shown at the Youth Media screening in Lismore.

Youth Media presents three locally produced films this Saturday, July 3, at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore from 7.30pm. The main aim of Youth Media is to give young people in the community the opportunity to express their culture through the video medium and to give them the expertise to do so.

Youth Media and Light n Up (in collaboration with the Area Assistance Scheme run through Lismore City Council), are also creating the opportunity for youth and older persons in the community to tell their parallel stories through the Old School Ties project.

The films in Saturday's screening are Trime News by the Byron Bay Uncle Boys, When Fantasy is Reality by Casino High's Year 11 class and The Adventures Of a 2 Dimensional Light Being by the Light n Up group. In this group, younger and older people come together to find a common story expressed in shadow animation.

Entry to the three films is only $5.

Writers' fest filling fast...

Tickets are selling fast for this year's Byron Bay Writers' Festival with the opening night and the Fins Literary Lunch already sold out. There are only four weeks to go so organisers are urging you to get in and book now.

Tickets are still available for lunch at the Bangalow Hotel on Thursday, July 29, with Roy Masters and Mick O'Regan discussing life and the really big issue... sport!

Amongst the 27 workshops you are sure to find one that will change your life or you can just eat - this year food is one of the many highlights of the festival.

A new evening lecture format will be introduced this year featuring inspired speakers like Alison Broinowski, John Carroll, Tim Winton and Kylie Kwong.

There are heaps of celebrities, activities and entertainment to be had at this year's Byron Bay Writers' Festival.

Book now and avoid disappointment (as they say).

To get a copy of the program or to purchase tickets, visit the website www.byronbaywritersfestival.com or phone 6685 6262.

Outdoor opera nearly sold out

Jillianne Stoll will be singing the joys of having a ticket to Opera at The Channon

After six years, Opera at The Channon has become bigger and better with local people (and some from Brisbane, Canberra and Sydney) flocking to this pleasantly different musical experience.

On Sunday, July 25, Opera at The Channon will present an afternoon of cultured music with selections from famous operas and musicals performed by some of Australia's best young operatic talent from Opera Queensland.

Unfortunately, tickets for the silver-service luncheon are sold out and there are only about a hundred or so tickets left for the opera. So you'd better hurry and grab those tickets!

You can always enjoy a picnic lunch by bringing your own lunch hamper and a blanket to sit on.

The major news this week is that Stone & Partners Lawyers have become major sponsors of this event, which supports the Life Saver Rescue Helicopter and Rotary charities.

So folks, dress up in your formals, grab some bubbly and enjoy the mix of high culture and the glorious environment that is Opera at The Channon.

Tickets for the concert are $50. For more info phone 6627 4444 (business hours) or visit the website at www.helirescue.com.au.

Psycho - tripout - delia

DJ Trolley (left) and Syzmix from Bufferzone will headline the Sound Travel launch this Friday in Lismore.

So you think that psychedelica is a distorted and fast fading memory of the 60s, and that apart from listening to some old vinyl or staring at some of the pop art posters of that time, psychedelica is long gone - well, think again.

Here comes psytrance - a whole new psychedelic package for the trance scene. PsyPneumatix, a new label that specialises in the genre, is holding the Northern NSW and SE Queensland launch of its new CD, Sound Travel Volume 1, this Friday, July 2, at the One Bar & Niteclub at Mary Gilhooleys in Lismore.

The night will feature performances from top Melbourne acts Bufferzone and DJ Trolley, with local support from Digital Psionic's Luke Psywalker, Gi'iwa Productions' Re-Psyche and a set by Lismore lad Fresh.

Expect deep, throbbing, sometimes dark, sometimes powerful basslines, catchy percussive rhythms along with uplifting melodies. All this comes with a range of psychedelic tweaks and sounds that will make psytrance the dance music of the next generation. After homework, of course.

Doors open at 8.45pm, entry is $15 and the organisers promise a no-nonsense, non-stop show from 9pm until 4am.

The PsyPneumatix debut CD Sound Travel Volume 1 will be available on the night.

Belly dancing takes guts...

Ayelet Ashkar cuts the Persian rug with her sharp moves...

From the company that brought us Arabian Nights comes a new show, Eastern Winds. This show brings the colour and vitality of gypsy music to the Byron Bay Community and Cultural Centre next Saturday, July 10, with some exceptional musicians and the eye-opening belly dancer Ayelet Ashkar.

The music takes its inspiration from India, the Middle East and eastern Europe showcasing the musical skills of the multi-talented Yuval Ashkar, Guy Madigan, David Oddy, Paul Adolphus, Elvis Callaghan and Kazz Nakahara.

The doors open at 7pm and after the show there will be a live music dance party with Middle Eastern cookies, chai and coffee.

Tickets are $22/18 (and $12 for children under 12). For further information phone 6680 9696 or 6685 5659.

Arts R Us

Celebrating the incorporation of the Regional Arts Board outside Kyogle Council Chambers on Monday were (l-r) Cr Warren Polglase (chair), Cath Fogarty (project officer), Wayne Halcrow, Lois Randall (regional arts development officer), Wendy Adriaans, Greg Downes, Brian Lane, Cr Peter Lewis and Paul Hickey.

Arts Northern Rivers today gained a new level of independence with the establishment and incorporation of a Regional Arts Board, representing the seven local government areas of the Northern Rivers region.

"Under an independent Arts Northern Rivers board, arts and cultural development in the region can be self determined according to local priorities," said regional arts development officer, Lois Randall. "We can now manage our own affairs, establish a web presence and seek additional funding. This is a historic moment for the Northern Rivers, which is the last region of NSW to establish a Regional Arts Board, despite its reputation as a vibrant centre of the arts and culture."

The newly empowered Arts Northern Rivers will encourage and foster the arts and culture of the region with special attention to Indigenous arts and cultural programs. It will also promote an increase in cultural tourism. To contact Arts Northern Rivers phone 6628 8120.

Dean there, done that

Dean Jefferys, whose documentary, Shamans of the Amazon, recently screened on SBS TV, is taking two intimate groups of 10 people each to the Peruvian Amazon and to Machu Picchu in August to participate in Ayahuasca and San Pedro rituals and initiations with traditional Amazonian and Incan shamans. This really is adventure tourism!

Before his departure Dean will present a film he made during his last shamanic adventure in October 2003. He'll also talk about the coming tours and present a screening of Shamans of the Amazon. All this takes place at the Lismore Workers Club next Thursday, July 8, from 7pm. Entry is $8/7.

For more info phone 6684 0254 or visit the website at www.shamansoftheamazon.com.

Middle Earth Fusion

Dynamic six-piece Melbourne band, Lothlorien, are hitting the North Coast with a gig at Coorabell Hall this Saturday, July 3.

Founding member Nic Morrey (singer/songwriter) is joined by an extremely talented and vibrant instrumental line-up including 12 string guitar, didgeridoo, ulean pipes, high and low whistle, violin, Celtic harp, wurlitzer keys, fretless bass, drums, percussion and ... (stop it!)

Lothlorien has a unique contemporary sound inspired by nature and diversity in culture, encompassing an array of world music styles. Whatever rhythm your heart beats to, Lothlorien's Middle Earth Fusion is sure to get you dancing on the inside and out.

Entry is $12/15 and doors open at 7pm. Chai tea and supper will be available.

School holiday pigs

It's school holiday time and that means parents are looking for some children's entertainment that isn't just TV and DVDs. And something the adults can enjoy as well. For that, you just can't beat live theatre.

Welcome, then, to The Three Little Pigs, the latest production from Firetrax Theatre Company. This is a show for all ages with lots of audience participation (watch out for the wolf!) - and at the end of the show you even get to meet the characters in a big hug session. That's sweet.

The Three Little Pigs will be playing at the A&I Hall in Bangalow next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 8-10, and the following Thursday to Friday, July 15-17. All shows start at 2pm.

Tickets are $8/5 or $5 per head for a family of four. For info or bookings phone 6687 1998.

All that jazz

Jazz will have those fingers clicking at The Urban in Bangalow, this Saturday, July 3, when Jim Kelly squeezes the be-jazz out of his guitar from 7pm.

And the Jim Kelly Trio, with the beautiful vocals of Natalie Gay, will pull out all stops in its pursuit of the jazz groove this Sunday, July 4, at the Lennox Point Hotel from 5.30pm.

Then, of course, there's the regular jazz night at Mary Gilhooleys next Wednesday, July 7, which is always a musical treat. And this week the audience will hear the cool sounds of the very hot Che El Chile band. They start the drum count at 8.30pm and entry is $5.

More jazz - the news

The inaugural fundraiser for the 60th Annual Australian Jazz Convention, to be hosted by Lismore at the end of next year, was held last Sunday at the RSL Club. It was great afternoon with a variety of jazz acts, raffles and promotions raising money for staging the convention. The convention is a highlight of the jazz year in Australia.

The jazz energy is rising and anyone interested in the formation of the Lismore Jazz Club or assisting with the running of the 60th Annual Australian Jazz Convention should come to a public meeting at Lismore Workers Club next Wednesday, July 7, at 6pm, where a committee, of course, will be formed. For more info phone 6622 8147.

Jazz under the trees

The jazz epidemic has spread all over the land with Mullumbimby to experience the velvet vocals of Vashuda at The Poinciana Café this Sunday, July 4, from 12pm.

If you like Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone or Billie Holiday, it means - well, you're not mad. And that you'll love watching and hearing Vashuda perform her snazzy jazz show.

So, grab some wine, sit under the magnificent trees and listen to jazz this Sunday afternoon.

Photo Genie at 48 Hours

The countdown is on for the inaugural 48 Hours of Visual Art forum this weekend. One of the most popular of the visual arts is photography. On Saturday night, July 3, Nikki Fuda hosts a panel discussion with three successful local photographers - Cal Mackinnon, whose taken out a swathe of awards as an emerging photographer; David Young, who walks the tightrope between commercial and creative work; and Richard Harrison, a photographer who believes everyone's a photographer.

The panel discussion takes place after a screening of Australian artist Tracey Moffat's astonishing short film or photographic essay, Night Cries.

The Art of Photography session is on this Saturday night in the Byron Bay Community Centre Theatre Space from 7.30pm. For a program, tickets or more info phone 6685 5214 or visit the website at www.tikitiboo.com.au.

Grab a Saturday half-day pass which includes all sessions from 2pm including the Art of Photography for $28/$25, a full day pass for $48/$45 or the whole weekend for $88/$85 and be visually stimulated.

Creative types wanted.

Coraki, tea tree capital of the universe, wants to be the arts capital of the North Coast and is planning the Coraki Artsfest on October 29 and 30.

The famous Coraki Tea Tree Art Prize will be a part of this proposed event.

If you are interested in the arts and wish to be involved, go along to a meeting in the dining room of the Club Hotel by the river in Coraki next Wednesday, July 7, from noon. It will be a time to brainstorm, socialise and activate those creative juices.

For more info phone 6683 2325 or 6683 2626.

A little bit Stipsky

It'll be a full moon and Nimbin is in for a full-on assault of funky world music when Stipsky hits the stage at the Nimbin Hotel this Friday, July 2. This band of nine moon-affected musicians will play jazzified and funkified world tunes to "charm the snake in every dancer, male and female alike." Ooh la la!

Percussion, brass, bass, guitar and wind instruments are the stimulants of choice, so soak up the lunar splendour with Stipsky at this free gig from 7.30pm.

Big Gig

Five bands for four bucks is an absolute bargain at the Tatts Hotel in Lismore next Thursday, July 8, when Seshjuan, Falling From Dying Hands, Wendy Icon and Your Night Sky get together to shake this town with music that is not an eclectic mix of anything but just straight, heavy, rock. This show will introduce Adelaide band, Wendy Icon, to Lismore as part of their national tour. The show starts at 9pm.

Wah Wah Willie in America

Last year a CD called Cinema landed on my player - and has been one of my very favourite albums since then. It's produced by a guitar playing guy (Wah Wah Willie) who lives in Teven but whose music is heard all around the world.

Now I get a note saying that Cinema was broadcast in full on KPSU FM in Portland, the biggest city in Oregon, USA, last Wednesday, June 30. Not only that but there were interviews and track intros - this is rare for US acts, and very rare for a little independent guitar player from here! Go the Wah Wah!

March of the midgets

The midgets have marched into the Roxy Gallery in Kyogle. The Revenge of the Midgets is an exhibition presented by Jimmy Willing who has coordinated a variety of local artists to contribute (in a small way) to this exhibition of small art - miniatures. Sometimes, small is good. Miniature works in various media will fill the Roxy Gallery from Friday, July 2, until Wednesday, July 28. This exhibition has been an annual event in Lismore since 2002 and with 31 exhibitors in the Kyogle showing, it is sure to be a very popular visual art event.

And speaking of Kyogle...

Kyogle Cinemas is a real treat. It's great to have a person who loves films and everything to do with cinema in charge of a cinema complex he built himself. Such a person is Stuart Everett, boss of Kyogle Cinemas. Colour television and the VCR were still years away when the big screen went blank in Kyogle. But it is a testament to the enduring magic of film and to Stuart's cinematic passion that the movies are alive and kicking in Kyogle today. Two of the three theatres in the Kyogle Cinema show all the latest movies in comfort with thick seats (hate that sore bum thing) and cheap prices. The other theatre is a cinema museum - a manifestation of Stuart's love of cinema.

Adult tickets are only $8, kids under 12 are $7 and on Wednesdays (except school holidays) the cost is a very reasonable $6. For more info phone 6632 1888.

World C'ship Poetry

The Nimbin Performance Poetry Cup for 2004 is open to applicants who wish to compete in one of the world's biggest and richest poetry contests. Held in the literary and cultured environs of Nimbin on July 31 and August 1, this competition attracts large numbers of poets and aspiring poets who have a maximum of eight minutes in which they can display their poetic and performance skills. This is a fun weekend.

For more info or application forms, phone 6689 7424 or email worldpoetrycup@yahoo.com.au.

NORPA presents

La Guerra
A Teatro del Mundo Production
Venue: Star Court Theatre Lismore
Dates: July 9 & 10, 8pm
Prices: $20/$15 + booking fee
Bookings: Northern Rivers Ticket Centre 6621 5600 or www.norpa.org.au

Staccato drilling rhythms in Cuban heels dancing to live Flamenco guitar, percussion and visual projection sets the pace for a work so electrically charged one can't help but be swept up in the art of Teatro del Mundo.

Created by Artistic Director and internationally applauded Flamenco dancer, Liana Vargas, Teatro del Mundo boasts an impressive collection of fresh exuberant performing artists of the highest international standards. The flamenco guitarists are the finest masters of their instrument, and, as do the dancers and singers, travel to Europe frequently to hone their skills and gain valuable performance experience with internationally respected artists.

Vargas has an extensive background in Flamenco performance having been a soloist in Santander's Ajuntamiento with flamenco maestro Merche Esmeralda and in Madrid's Bario Baja Solea. She has also worked in Mexico City's Meson de Triana and in Madrid's La Zambra flamenco Tablao. She has choreographed and danced for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Trader Faulkner at Sadlers Wells and presented workshops and performed in London's Dance Expo at the Barbican Centre. In Australia, Liana has worked intensely with friend and colleague Antonio Vargas (Strictly Ballroom) in his Flamenco Dance Theatre company which has toured extensively throughout the country, a highlight being the Victorian State Opera Company's Carmen at the Melbourne Tennis Centre and Sydney's Entertainment Centre.

La Guerra is Vargas' most contemporary dance theatre work to date. The show is based on the words of murdered Spanish poet Frederico Garcia Lorca and tells the story of the dramatic events leading to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War led by Dictator General Franciso Franco. Says Vargas "It is not a morbid production, however, this was an intense period in Spanish history and what better way to express this than through Flamenco. Flamenco has lots of sensuality, not flaunting or obvious, but a sizzling, held back intensity."

Teatro del Mundo is constantly redefining the boundaries of flamenco and theatre for Australian audiences. The collaboration with visual artist Peter Farrow has ignited a dynamic combination of breathtaking beauty and artistry between the performance company and Peter's magnificent visions.

Move Your Feet

NORPA will host a public workshop with Teatro del Mundo on Saturday, July 10, at Lismore City Hall. The workshop will cover traditional flamenco dance with an up to date, European flair. Participants are advised to bring heeled, covered shoes and comfortable clothing. Bookings are essential and workshop participants are eligible for a concession price show ticket to La Guerra. For more information contact Emma Newman at NORPA Dance Action on emma@norpa.org.au or phone 6622 3279.